10 best pest control companies in Mission Viejo, California

Pests regularly found in Mission Viejo are rats, ants and bed bugs. You can take action yourself to avoid potential pest problems, but you may need to contact a pest control company if you already have an infestation. Skilled pest exterminators in the Mission Viejo area have the expertise to inspect your home and treat your pest problem.

Letting a pest issue go unaddressed can introduce a variety of risks to you, your family members and your pets. Insects and small animals can cause irreversible property damage, contaminate foods and spread disease.

Hiring a professional pest control company can decrease these risks. These specialists identify infestation hot spots and create tailored treatment plans that may include sealing cracks, using traps or spraying chemicals. When the proper fixes are implemented, you can get rid of infestations for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Mission Viejo

Look for pest control companies in Mission Viejo with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.

What are common pests in Mission Viejo?

While pests are everywhere, not all of them invade the same regions. If you think you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in Mission Viejo:

• Rats: If you find droppings about half an inch long or hear scurrying in your walls or ceiling, you may have a rat infestation. Rats chew through walls, doors and food bags, forming access points for themselves.
• Snakes: Snakes are more active during the warmer months and make homes in debris, rock piles, overgrown grass and wood. Signs of a snake infestation include the appearance of snake skins and snake eggs. You can test for a snake infestation by laying down some flour where you think a snake lives. If you see trail marks in the flour, call a pest control professional right away.
• Fleas: Fleas typically target pets. Your pet may have fleas if it scratches itself constantly and has black dots on its skin. While fleas don't live on human skin or hair, they do jump up and bite people, particularly around the ankles. Fleas can also spread various diseases, such as the bubonic plague.
• Ants: Many different types of ants can invade your home. Carpenter ants are drawn to wood, while fire ants like greasy food. Both types sting, unlike pavement ants, which can also frequently find their way inside. If you see a trail of ants in your home, it indicates a larger infestation nearby.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are mostly active at night, but you may see some during the day if you have a serious infestation. Their nesting areas concentrate around kitchens, basements and bathrooms. Cockroaches commonly leave brown smears on walls and floors and leave droppings that resemble ground black pepper. Cockroaches transmit disease and can even exacerbate breathing problems.
• Wasps: If you see more wasps than usual, and they start to getting into your home frequently, you may have a nest nearby. Nests can be above or below ground, which you may not realize until you step on one. Wasps show more aggression than bees and will swarm. Do not attempt to remove a wasp’s nest by yourself, as this can be extremely dangerous.
• Ticks: Ticks typically stay close to the ground outdoors, but they can enter your home on your shoes, clothing or pets. Once inside, a female tick will lay her eggs in carpet fibers, in upholstery and on curtains. You may also find nests along baseboards, in corners and even in the linings or pockets of clothing.

How can you prevent pests in your Mission Viejo home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be challenging, so preventative measures are the most reliable strategy to prevent future problems. Though infestations often require expert intervention, you can implement the following measures to keep pests away before they make their way into your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals are disruptive and can cause significant damage to your home and health if left unchecked. Consult with a pest control professional about taking preventative measures to keep pests from invading your home. They may recommend sealing gaps, setting traps or spraying the area with pesticides.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are usually in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will prevent them from settling in. Store food at least six inches above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure sinks, counters and food storage areas are clean and sanitized when not being used. Quickly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters tidy.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Trash, leaves, standing water and tall grass give ample shelter to insects and small animals. Keeping your yard free of debris and well-maintained with a mowed lawn and trimmed foliage is one of the most straightforward ways to prevent an infestation. If you need professional lawn care, check if national lawn care companies such as TruGreen are available in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off entry points into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just a half-inch in diameter. Repair holes in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest prevention services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control provider, ask the following questions to verify they have the skills to handle your unique situation.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Additionally, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to have certification following the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

A Qualified Applicator License or Applicator Certificate issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation is required for pest control technicians to practice in California.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist advises will depend on the property location, pest type, infestation severity and treatment type. Pest control services generally do not advocate for getting a single treatment to rid a home of pests, as insects are often at different points in their life cycle, and can lay eggs in areas that are hard to access.

Pest professionals generally advise ongoing treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others needed year-round. Preventative measures may also be recommended to stop infestations before they begin.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it will take for your pest issue to be resolved depends on the type and severity of the infestation and the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may see a decline in activity, but pests can return after they hatch, requiring further treatments. You may also see increased activity after the first treatment, as it can flush pests out of hiding places. Luckily, this should subside within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home for certain portions of the pest control treatment, such as sealing entry points. Should your service provider use a pesticide, you'll most likely need to leave your home while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This can typically take a few hours.

Certain pest control treatments can take a while. For termite fumigation, the pest control company sets up a tent over your entire home for three days to apply the pesticide. You'll have to seek accommodation elsewhere during this process.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

An experienced pest control professional knows how much of a product to use, the time needed for it to dry and when children and pets can safely return to the treated location. Before beginning any treatment, your service provider should inform you about what should be removed from the area, including food, plants and animals.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest specialists provide green solutions for addressing infestations. These companies employ techniques that have a smaller environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing potential pest entry points, trapping rodents and using naturally sourced pesticides.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place if pests return before a certain date. Companies may offer a one-time treatment or ongoing treatments to resolve a stubborn pest problem. Ask your service provider what options they offer.

Our methodology for selecting pest control companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score. We review national pest control companies against our full pest control methodology. We score pest control companies based on service options, safety and certifications, service guarantees and customer service.